<p>Everyone has <a href="http://www.starnewsonline.com/section/holidays02"><b>Christmas</b></a> traditions.</p><p>Baking cookies, decorating the house and exchanging gifts are normal this time of year, but for Frederick and Peggy Demask, it's not Christmas unless they've given blood.</p><p>"I can't think of anything better to give someone in need," said Peggy Demask as she waited for her blood to be drawn Tuesday.</p><p>She was in full Christmas spirit, wearing a red sweater and socks with snowmen on them.</p><p>Cynthia Simmons, a Red Cross employee for 12 years, was leading Tuesday's blood drive at the South 16th Street Red Cross building in Wilmington.</p><p>The four-hour-long blood drive only had a goal of getting 20 donors in the building. By 9 a.m., seven people had given blood and one man gave a double batch.</p><p>Simmons was surprised by the steady stream of donors coming in.</p><p>"It's Christmas Eve," she said. "You figure everyone's doing their last-minute thing."</p><p>Donations typically decrease two times a year, said Shannon Jordan, who works for the Cape Fear chapter of the American Red Cross. </p><p>Those are around July Fourth and Christmas, she said.</p><p>Jordan said Christmas declines are from people traveling and without time to make the donation.</p><p>Even though there's no current shortage in the area, the need is still great, Simmons said.</p><p>"Somebody's going to need it," she said. "There's going to be an accident somewhere. It's important for it to be on hand."</p><p>In addition to accidents, Jordan said there are ill patients in hospitals who rely on blood donations for daily treatments.</p><p>Frederick Demask said the couple started giving blood every Christmas Eve about six years ago.</p><p>Their grandson needed surgery 10 years ago and relied on blood donations. While she wasn't a match, other family members were, Peggy Demask said.</p><p>The couple regularly gave blood before their grandson's surgery, but the situation only emphasized the need for donors.</p><p>"It's such an easy thing to do," she said.</p><p>Frederick Demask agreed.</p><p>"It makes us feel good to know we're giving something back to our community," he said. "When I walk out of here, I always feel good."</p><p>To learn more about donating blood in Wilmington, visit www.redcross.org/nc/wilmington.</p>